FRANKFURT

Frankfurt is the only German city with a noteworthy skyline. The skyscrapers are the reason behind the city's nickname "Mainhattan". The city is an international finance center, a traffic junction and an industrial stronghold. This mixture attracts people from all over the world: more than one quarter of the population are foreigners. The modern bank district is just one of Frankfurt's many sides: at the Römer, for example, the town houses offer a great impression on the historical Frankfurt, where the German Unification was initiated in 1848. Sachsenhausen with its cider taverns (called "Apfelweinschenke" in German, and "Äbbelwoi" in the Hessian dialect) represents German sociability. The university district Westend is perfect for reminiscing in memories of the time when Frankfurt and Berlin used to be the center of the left "Sponti" scene (a group of radical political activists in the 1970's). Frankfurt is a melting pot of attitudes and cultures, with all the corresponding opportunities and pleasures, risks and side effects.

Airport
Frankfurt Airport (www.airportcity-frankfurt.de) is one of the world's largest airports and is located approx. 12 km south-west of the city center. From the airport, the city can be reached by train, bus or taxi.

Airport transfer
Trains to Frankfurt Main Station go at regular intervals from terminal 1. A ride takes about 20 minutes. Schedule information at: www.rmv.de
Buses go from terminal 1 and terminal 2 every few minutes. Schedule information also at: www.rmv.de
A taxi ride to Frankfurt's inner city takes between 20 and 30 minutes. One ride costs about € 20.00 (tel. 23 00 01, 25 00 01, 79 20 20).

Inner-city traffic
Frankfurt has a narrow network of buses, tramways, city and suburban railways as well as subways. Schedule information at: www.rmv.de
The most important lines can be found at: www.traffiq.de

Paulskirche
The Paulskirche was completed in 1833 and is also called the "Cradle of Democracy". The National Assembly met at the church in 1848 and proclaimed, among other things, the "Basic Rights of the German People". There are sometimes special exhibitions taking place in the basement.
Paulsplatz 11, tel. 28 10 98

Goethe House/Goethe Museum
It the same spot in Greater Hirschgraben, where Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's birthplace was once situated, there is now a museum that was re-constructed true to the original, which was destroyed in World War II. Paintings, drawings and busts remind of the Frankfurt citizen's life and work.
Greater Hirschgraben 23-25, tel. 13 88 00, www.goethehaus-frankfurt.de

Frankfurt Cathedral
Its beginnings date back to the 9th century, but it was only finished in 1260. Ten emperors were crowned here. From April to October, visitors can climb up the 95-m high tower to enjoy a view over the city.
Domplatz, tel. 297 03 20, www.dom-frankfurt.de

Höchst Old Town
Frankfurt's district Höchst is particularly famous for the industrial premises of the chemical and pharmaceutical company group Hoechst AG (today it is called Sanofi-Aventis). Few people, however, are familiar with the beautiful Old Town and its characteristic half-timbered buildings. The Old Town has been a landmarked area since 1972. Apart from the many old buildings, Höchst Castle and Bolongaro Palace are particularly notable. A visist to the china manufacturer in Palleskestraße, Germany's second-oldest china factory, might also be interesting. Moreover, there is a castle festival taking place from the middle of June to the middle of July at Höchst, including a street fair in the Old Town, fireworks and a jazz festival in the castle.

Frankfurt's multinational scene, of course, also reflects in the restaurant scene: ethnical cuisine from all corners of the world can be found. Regional cuisine offers a number of specialties, too, for example the famous frankfurter sausages or "Äbbelwoi" (apple wine) which is often called the national drink of Frankfurt. The "Green Sauce" (Grüne Soße) is particularly tasty and popular among vegetarians - it's a kind of cream sauce with herbs that is served with potatoes and is said to date back to the time of Goethe. Loin ribs with cabbage ("Rippche mit Kraut") or German Hand Cheese with Music ("Handkäs mit Musik") are also recommendable. The latter is a round cheese that is served in oil, vinegar and marinaded onions. This combination might be difficult to digest, which is why it produces a certain "music" with some people.

Haus Wertheym
Haus Wertheym is Frankfurt's oldest tavern and is situated directly at the "Römer". Mostly local dishes are served in a cozy atmosphere here, and the helpings are quite big.
Fahrtor 1, tel. 28 14 32

Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof
Steigenberger is one of the city's best hotels and is located quite centrally in the inner city, opposite the Commerzbank Tower (Europe's highest office building). Due to the numerous conference rooms, it is also perfectly suited for meetings and conventions.
Kaiserplatz, tel. 215 02, double room from € 259.00, www.frankfurter-hof.steigenberger.de

Hotel Adler
Hotel Adler is a three star hotel near the main station. In spite of the favorable location, the hotel is still one of the city's cheaper options in terms of accommodation.
Niddastraße 65, tel. 50 50 43 80, double room from € 62.00, www.hotel-adler-frankfurt.de

Hotel Admiral
The three star hotel Admiral is located directly in the city, only about a kilometer away from the historical center. It might be interesting for families with children, as the Frankfurt Zoo is quite close.
Hölderlinstraße 25, tel. 44 80 21, from € 82.00, www.hoteladmiral.de

Frankfurt's nightlife is known for electronic music and jazz. Sven Väth and Marc Spoon made Frankfurt's techno, house and dancefloor music popular all over the world. There are many jazz clubs in the Kleine Bockenheimer Straße - even Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie used to play here at one point. "Cocoon Club" is the most popular dance club, located in a former warehouse. DJ Sven Väth himself plays here sometimes (Carl-Benz-Straße 21, www.cocoonclub.net). Many establishments are located in the district around the station, for example the famous cocktail bar "Moloko" (Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 1) and the "U-Bar" (Rossmarkt). The restaurants in the district of Sachsenhausen serve solid dishes and apple wine. Many Americans and Japanese can be observed being openly delighted with the "cute houses" there. Apple wine taverns are located right next to popular bars in party street Berger Straße in Bornheim. And finally, at Nordend you can immerse yourself in the community lifestyle: here, aged tree huggers live, eat and drink together with young investment bankers who could be their children (and sometimes even are). An overview of the city's numerous establishments can be found at:
www.pointoo.de/ort/Frankfurt/Nachtleben.html

Cinema
Who prefers going to the movies in the evening, here you find the schedule: www.meinestadt.de/frankfurt-am-main/kino/filmliste?startsWith=a

Frankfurt's most important shopping street is the pedestrian area Zeil with numerous stores and the famous cheap fashion brands. Zeil Gallery with its seven floors is also located here. More exclusive stores and many fashion designers are situated in Goethestraße.

Shops and stores for young people are primarily located in the district of Sachsenhausen to the south of the river Main, particularly in the main shopping street Schweizer Straße. The district of Bornheim with its many second-hand stores might also be interesting for young people.

There is a flea market taking place every Saturday at the river along the museum. There is also a large foods market taking place every Friday in Schillerstraße in the city center.

Frankfurt was one of the host cities during the 2006 Soccer World Cup in Germany. Souvenirs of this event are still available everywhere.

A popular present for your loved ones at home also is a "Äbbelwoi Gift Package" containing a bottle of apple wine and the corresponding glass and coaster. Hand-made stuff from the china factory in the district of Höchst is also popular.

Numerous Frankfurt souvenirs can be found in the city center, on markets and also in tourist information centers.
Kaiserstraße 56, tel. 21 23 88 00, www.frankfurt-tourismus.de